Beginning of the End (of the Prologue)

A FEW MOMENTS LATER:

Johtun, John and Daffy all rush down the watchtower and get back down to street level where they immediately see guards running toward the western entrance to the town.

"I hope they've closed the gates, if even one remains open... it could be the end of everyone in this town".

Johtun's grim words shake Daffy and John a little but they have no time to dwell on it as Johtun says, "We must regroup with the others".

The trio then begin to rush down the street as they head back toward the Kreaky Kauldron.

---

A FEW MINUTES LATER - THE KREAKY KAULDRON:

The trio get to the entrance of the Kauldron and that's when they're met with the group of Lani, Terra and Cidal.

"Johtun! Are they really here?!" Cidal asks.

"Unfortunately so" Johtun responds, "I hope you three have managed to figure something out".

Terra is the one to respond, "Well, we know that they can be killed regularly however there's one problem...".

"If the necromancer is alive, they can continue to bring the undead back again and again" Lani says, finishing the sentence.

"Well if Imoga has even one working brain cell, she'll know not to show up".

"Not necessarily young one" Cidal responds to John's words, "While it's true that Imoga won't be directly in the battle, she still has to be within a few hundred feet of her horde otherwise they'll just become brainless drones".

"So, we just have tae look within a few hunner feet and then we kin kill the rotten bitch. Pun intended".

As the six are talking, Kyuala and Radvar walk around the corner with a large mixed group of townsfolk in tow.

"We got the fighters! Wait... where's Amilia?".

Kyuala is then answered with, "Over here!".

Everyone turns to see Amilia with Sylus right beside her.

"I heard what was happening so I brought every weapon I could find!".

Sylus drops the few bags he was carrying and then begins to arm the townsfolk as Kyuala says to Amilia, "Good work Ami".

Amilia lets out a little smile as the group begins to lay out the plan with Johtun speaking up first, "Alright! We're facing a very dangerous enemy! The undead are fast, agile and very, very deadly! We must work as a unit if we want to succeed in driving these demons back down to the hell from whence they came! Now, we will split into groups of ten! I will lead one and Kyuala, Cidal and John will lead groups of their own!".

As the townsfolk begin to separate into groups, John is shocked. He looks at Johtun as he says, "Whoa, whoa, whoa... Johtun... I can't lead a group... I've never led a team like... ever!".

Johtun chuckles, "Neither did I at one point but I grew into my role. Now, admittedly, I have known you for a brief time... however... after hearing how quickly you went from drop-in to fighting the Darkcross, I have a feeling that you aren't the type of person to let innocents get hurt".

"No sir".

Johtun smiles at John's determined tone, "And that... is what makes a good leader".

John begins to feel more confident in himself after Johtun's words as the commander addresses the groups once again, "Listen up! Kyuala, you take your group to the eastern gate! Cidal, take yours to the southern! John, you and your group head to the northern gate! My group! We will head to the west and help the guards! Now... are you with us?!".

The groups all cheer, ready for battle.

"Alright! Let us go forth and send these undead beasts back to their graves!".

The groups all roar once again as they split in their respective directions.

---

A FEW MINUTES LATER - KYUALA'S POV:

Kyuala and her group consisting of Radvar, Amilia and seven of the volunteers all turn the corner and head toward the large squadron of soldiers that guard the gate.

Immediately they see the archers up top drawing and firing arrows while calling out targets to the others.

Kyuala and her group head over to a guard that she recognises, "Mordroe! We're here to help!".

The guard turns around and sees ten armed volunteers at the ready, "Oh thank H'nod you're here Kyuala! We could use the help!".

"What's going on?" Amilia asks.

"Those freaks are running around outside! Every time our archers strike one down, another two take its place!".

The main trio then see some guards moving a few cauldron-esque pots up to the top of the wall.

Radvar is first to speak as he asks, "What's with the pots?".

"Our orders are to burn the bastards to a bloody crisp! We could use the muscle getting them up there!".

Kyuala then looks at her group, "Alright! You heard the man! Let's get those pots up to the wall!".

A round of "aye-aye's" follow in response as the group head over to help the soldiers.

Mordroe looks to Kyuala before asking, "Do you think we stand a chance?".

Kyuala doesn't look at the man as she replies, "We just have to".

---

SOUTHERN GATE - DAFFY'S POV:

Daffy is closely following behind Cidal as their group walks up to the guards at the southern gate.

"You there!" Cidal calls to a young guard who quickly stops, "Who's in charge here?!".

"Captain Nartoko! The one with the halberd and red helm!" The guard responds as he points to a man matching his description.

"Thank you!" Cidal responds as the guard quickly takes off again while the group heads over to the captain.

"I want every capable man with steel in their hand! If they can stand, they can fight!" Captain Nartoko calls out as his men move at his orders.

"Captain Nartoko!" Cidal calls out, causing the large captain to turn around, revealing an orc under the red helm.

"Back to your homes citizens! This is no place for bystanders!" The large captain calls out, walking away from the group.

"I am no citizen of these walls Captain! My name is Cidal Loweyorn! Right hand to the Commander of the Laccier Legion!".

Nartoko immediately stops after hearing that name.

"The Laccier Legion eh?! So it was the fancy pants capital mercenaries who saw the undead first! Surprised you all didn't shit your pants and turn tail!".

"No chance! The undead beasts made this personal when they killed my friends! So my commander and I intend to send them back to hell!".

The Captain hears the determination in Cidal's voice before grinning and saying, "A man determined to avenge his fellow soldiers is good enough for me! Are these folk part of your legion?".

"No, these are townsfolk who are brave enough to fight wae us!" Daffy says, drawing the Captains eye.

"Alright, but keep out of the way, understood?!".

"Understood!" The group answers back.

"Good! Now, the beasts are attacking our front defences and our spearmen are holding them back for now but they won't last forever! We need to get them back behind the walls now! Sergeant Hil!".

A guard runs up, "Yes sir!"

"Are your men ready to go?".

"We are sir! Waiting on your order sir!".

Nartoko looks to Cidal, "Listen up, myself, Gil and his men are going to retrieve our soldiers. I need you and your group to stand by the gate with my men and make sure no undead get in, understood?!".

"We will hold the line Captain" Cidal says confidently.

Nartoko grins, "I like your confidence Cidal, may it serve you well. Hil! Ready your men! OPEN THE GATE!".

Captain Nartoko heads over to Sergeant Hil and his men as the gate is opened up.

Cidal and the group ready their weapons as they head over, defending the open gate as the captain and the men rush forward to get the spearmen.

---

WESTERN GATE - TERRA'S POV:

Terra is rushing alongside Johtun as their group are making a beeline for the western gate.

As they're running toward said gate, they hear a multitude of sounds echoing throughout the town. The battle cries of soldiers as they fight for their lives, the clashing of metal as it swings and connects, the thud of arrows and bolts as they soar through the air to hit their target... and the roars of the undead horde that bear down on them all.

The group get past the last of the buildings and they're met with the sight of a fierce battle.

The undead are swiftly advancing, overwhelming the guards who stand their ground just beyond the gate. The last remaining few retreat back into the walls but the gate can't close properly as one of the spool of chain seems to be stuck.

Terra quickly moves forward, raising her staff before it begins to glow.

The spool then releases the stuck chain and the gate comes crashing down with ferocious speed, luckily no guards were underneath however the gate falls down on a few of the undead, killing them instantly.

"Commander Johtun!".

Johtun and Terra look toward a man in armour similar to that of Captain Nartoko but instead of a halberd, he carries a greatsword.

"Thank the Gods you got here when you did, you have my utmost gratitude mage" The Captain goes his head toward Terra who reciprocates.

"What's the damage Parlo?" Johtun asks.

"Twenty dead, nearly a dozen injured".

"My god" Johtun says as he reacts to the news.

"What can we do to help Captain?" Terra asks, trying to change the subject.

"For now, my archers are trying to thin their numbers as much ad they can because if they attack the gate with all of their ****... we don't stand much chance".

"CAPTAIN! YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!".

Captain Parlo, Johtun and Terra make their way to the stairs and rush up to the top of the wall where they meet the shouting guard.

"What is it soldier?" Captain Parlo asks.

"Look sir" The soldier points at the undead who seem to have seemingly just... stopped.

The guards on the wall, including the trio are all confused, unsure as to what is going on.

The undead then surprise everyone as they begin to move back.

Everyone is even more confused now as one of the guards ask, "Are they retreating sir?".

The captain is silent for a moment before saying, "Private, I... am not sure.

Johtun scans the field, looking at the weird behaviour of the beasts that just two minutes ago were furiously attacking. He then turns to Terra, "What do you make of this?".

Terra looks on, taking a moment before saying, "They're not retreating" She then looks to Johtun before saying, "They're getting reinforcements".

Johtun's eyes open wide as he realises what the mage is saying but before he has a chance to respond, they all hear, "Sir! Movement!".

Johtun and Terra look down and that's when they see it... Terra's words coming true.

The fallen soldiers on the outside begin to rise from the ground. The bodies of their fellow brethren beginning to reanimate as the sickening sound of snapping bones are heard by the guards up on the wall.

Every heart on said wall begins to beat faster than before as they literally see their chance of victory grow ever smaller.

The dead, now all on their feet, simply roar at the guards on the wall. The undead battle cry striking fear into even the strongest of spirits.

Without warning, the undead burst into a full sprint as they make their way toward the gate.

"FIRE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE! DON'T LET THOSE BEASTS GET ANY CLOSER!" Parlo shouts to his men who swiftly follow his orders.

Even as quickly as they begun to fire every arrow and bolt, some of the undead already made it to the gate and begin to crash their twisted bodies against it.

"SIR! THEY'RE TRYING TO BREAK THROUGH THE GATE!".

"DAMN THEM! WHERE IS THAT OIL?!".

"THEY DIVERTED IT TO THE EASTERN GATE SIR!".

Parlo roars in anger, thinking of a backup plan but Johtun is one step ahead, "MOVE THOSE CARTS IN FRONT OF THE GATE! TIRE THE BASTARDS BEFORE THEY HAVE THE CHANCE TO GET THROUGH!".

The men do as Johtun commands and begin to move the empty carts in front of the gate to blockade it even more.

As they guards follow their orders, Terra looks over the wall and begins to put her magic to use as she strikes down some of the undead with the few attacking spells but it doesn't slow them down much.

Johtun watches as the mage is trying spell after spell before saying, "Did you three manage to find something to help us against the beasts?!".

"We... did... but... it's a... last... resort!" Terra responds through grunts of effort.

Johtun sighs, fearing what she meant however that fear is quickly swapped as they hear those dreaded words,

"SIR! THEY'RE BREAKING THROUGH!".

---

NORTHERN GATE - John's POV:

John alongside Lani, Sylus and the rest of his group are running down the last street, ready to turn however their situation is very different as they don't hear anything.

No screams, no shouting of orders, no roars, not even any rapid movement.

They get to the last corner, ready to come face-to-face with the gate but as they turn the corner, ready to immediately help, that's when they see...

Nothing.

There are no guards standing around, there are no undead, hell, there isn't even any signs of fighting.

But one huge detail stands out among the rest...

The gate is wide open.

The group are all immediately scared, confused and stunned.

In a town currently fighting off an invasion, this part is seemingly stopped in time... almost like it's in a pocket dimension on its own.

"Uhh, not to be obvious or anything but... nothing's happening" Sylus comments.

"It's... creepy" Lani adds while John is intensely scanning the area.

John looks around, trying to find any sort of evidence as to what the fuck has happened here... or rather... not happened here.

After a few seconds of scouting around, John realises what's going on as he says to the others, "It's a trap!".

The group go to retreat but that's when seemingly out of the shadows, a line of the undead cut off their way back into town.

The group get ready to fight but as they ready their weapons, even more undead crawl out of the woodwork, now completely surrounding the entire group.

The group falls into a circle formation, standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they ready themselves to fight their way out.

"Stay calm! We need to stick together to get out of this alive!" John shouts to the others.

"I wouldn't waste your filthy breath trying to steel the spirits of those measly worms".

The stern, quiet yet somehow booming voice echoes all around, each word ringing in the ears of the group.

Footsteps thud against the cobblestone, coming from the open gate. John and Lani look and that's when they see two hooded figures walking toward them.

The figures get ten feet from the group before stopping, that's when the figure on the right grabs their hood and pulls it down to reveal...

Ivellise.

John and Lani are stunned as the now undead Ivellise stares a hole through the duo.

"An amazing sight isn't it? Life after ****, truly a beauty to behold especially to those who seek it most" The second hooded figure speaks as the duo gawk at the formerly dead Ivellise.

The chilling voice sends fear into the group however as it does, it also gives John a clue as to who the figure is.

"Now... I don't wanna assume anything about this batshit crazy world but since Ivellise is standing there... that must make you... Imoga".